Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Community Futures is proud to have four dedicated offices providing specialized services to support Indigenous entrepreneurship across British Columbia. Together, these offices empower entrepreneurs and foster community development in Indigenous communities, offering tailored support, financing, and business expertise to help build strong, self-sufficient local economies.
Find Your Nearest Indigenous Entrepreneurship Office
Central Interior Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations
Office Location: Kamloops
Service Area: Indigenous communities within the Thompson, Shuswap, Nicola, Fraser Canyon, Lillooet and Okanagan regions
Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN) promotes and provides community economic development support services to Indigenous people within the Central Interior of B.C.
Community Futures Haida Gwaii
Office Locations: Masset & Daajing Giids
Service Area: Haida Gwaii
Community Futures Haida Gwaii supports business and community growth through financing, advisory services, skills training, and capacity building. Services include support for startups, Indigenous-owned businesses, and local community development projects.
Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation
Office Location: Tseshaht First Nation
Service Area: Vancouver Island
NEDC supports Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nation communities on Vancouver Island with financing, free business advisory services, and planning support. Through lending, capacity building, and entrepreneurship promotion, NEDC strengthens economic growth and self-sufficiency across the region.
Stó:lō Community Futures
Office Location: Chilliwack
Service Area: S'ólh Téméxw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory
Stó:lō Community Futures offers business support including loans and training programs to current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs and Stó:lō Community-owned businesses in S'ólh Téméxw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory.
Pathways to Entrepreneurship
Service Provider: Community Futures BC
Cost: Free
Self-employment training program for Indigenous youth in BC with chronic illness, physical disability, and/or neurodiverse conditions. Through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and accessible tools, youth explore microbusiness development rooted in their strengths, culture, and ideas. The program offers personalized support, startup funds, and culturally relevant guidance to help youth turn their ideas into action.
This initiative is funded by Inclusion Canada.
Eligibility
Open to Indigenous youth in BC who:
- Are school-leaving age (typically 17 or older) and not older than 29
- Self-identify as having a disability, neurodiverse profile, or ongoing health condition, such as:
- Chronic illness or physical disability
- Neurodiverse conditions (e.g., ADHD, FASD, learning disabilities)
- Are motivated to start their own business
- Have shown commitment to their idea through research, learning or planning
- Are open to working with Elders, mentors and peers in a supportive environment
How to Apply
Send an email to info@communityfutures.ca
Service Delivery Partners
- Musqueam Indian Band
- S.A.G.E. Trainers
- Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw
- Community Living BC (CLBC)
